Thursday, April 1, 1:43 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 19, 10:45 p.m.
The Laurens wrestling team is off to a good start at the Upper State meet at Northwestern High School.
Five kids - Joseph Adams (112), Chandler Fleck (160), Hunter Smith (189), Alex Armstrong (215) and Javy Diaz (Hwt.) - all went undefeated on the day, while seven others dropped one match. All 12 wrestlers are still alive in the tournament.
If the five undefeated wrestlers win one of the first two matches they have Saturday morning, they will advance to the state championships. A loss in the semifinals Saturday morning would send them to the elimination bracket.
The seven wrestlers who dropped a match are already in the elimination bracket, where one more loss will mean the end of the season.
The event continues Saturday at 9 a.m.


Friday, Feb. 19, 8:45 p.m.
The season is over for the Laurens girls' basketball team.
The Raiders were defeated by Northwestern Friday, 58-24, at Rock Hill High School. Leah Moore had 10 points in her final game for the Raiders, while Kelia Shelton had 21 points to lead the Trojans, who improved to 24-1 on the season.
Laurens ends with a record of 19-6.

Thursday, Feb. 18, 8:55 a.m.
A quick reminder to those looking to go up to Friday's SCHSL State Tournament girls' basketball game between Laurens and Northwestern: the game will be played at Boiling Springs High School at 7 p.m., and not at Northwestern. The game is being moved because of the Upper State wrestling tournament, slated for Friday through Saturday, at Northwestern.

Monday, Feb. 15, 2:50 p.m.
Laurens girls' basketball team will open the playoffs one day later than planned.
The Raiders, who are slated to play Spartanburg in the first round of the Class AAAA tournament, will play on Wednesday at 7 p.m., in Laurens. The game was originally slated for Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The game was moved to Wednesday to accommodate Spartanburg, which is playing tonight against Dorman.

Friday, Feb. 5, 10:12 a.m.
The Laurens Raiders girls' basketball team may have a had a couple sluggish games this past week, but one person feels this year's team may have the makeup to put up a long postseason run.
Karen Gray, head coach at Easley, feels the Raiders are primed for a good run after her Green Wave squad played against Laurens Wednesday. Laurens won the game, 41-34, the second of two meetings during the year (the first was a 60-44 Raiders' victory in January).
"Laurens has always been a tough team for us," she said Friday. "I think, because they're so aggressive and so quick, they're going to go further than they have in the postseason."
Gray even feels that this Raiders team, if things go right, could find itself playing at the Bi-Lo Center during the Class AAAA Upper State finals.
"If they continue to play like they've played, I truly believe so," she said about Laurens possibly going that far in the playoffs.
Laurens was 16-4 overall, 4-1 in the region, entering play Friday against Wren.

Tuesday, Feb. 2, 12:55 p.m.
Youth baseball players interested in being part of the new 10U travel team are asked to come out for tryouts each of the next two Saturdays - Feb. 6 and 13 - at Collyar Park. Tryouts will start each day at 1 p.m.
Players may not turn 11 years old before May 1, 2010, to be eligible.
For more information, call Billy Dunlap at 923-1587.

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 8:40 a.m.
Both Laurens varsity basketball doubleheaders have been rescheduled. Laurens will host Dorman on Jan. 16, starting at 4 p.m., while the Raiders will visit Clinton on Jan. 25, starting at 6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m.
Saturday's PC/North Carolina men's basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., not only had UNC winning 103-64, but a fan get the ire of UNC head coach Roy Williams. The video of Williams talking toward the fan, asking for his ejection, and the post-game news conference where Williams tried to push the story aside are featured here.

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1:45 p.m.
Fans of the Clinton Red Devils' state championship football team can help celebrate the team's success during a pep rally Wednesday afternoon in the high school gymnasium.
The pep rally is slated to begin at 2:40 p.m., and is open to the public. However, once the gymnasium reaches capacity, it is likely that fans could be turned away. Clinton Mayor Randy Randall and other dignitaries will be on hand to honor the Red Devils.

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 9:25 a.m.
Fans of the Clinton Red Devils' football team can purchase tickets to the state championship game now through Friday at two locations in town.
Tickets for the SCHSL Class AAA final are available at Clinton High School, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Friday, and are available at Arthur State Bank, 205 Jacobs Hwy, now through Friday. The bank closes each day at 5 p.m.
The tickets cost $8 if bought before Friday, but can be purchased at the Williams-Brice Stadium gate for $10 the day of the game.

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 12:20 p.m.
William B. Carlton, the man who as athletic director at Presbyterian College helped usher the college into the start of its Division I transition, announced his resignation Tuesday. The resignation will not take effect until Feb. 1, 2010.
Carlton is stepping down to become a professor of systems engineering and operations research at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, Ga. He will also be a senior advisor for athletic planning.
Mike Smith, associate athletic director, will take over as interim director until a successor is named. A national search will commence to fill the job.
UPDATE Nov. 12, 9:35 a.m.: Isbell is back in Clinton and is safe. Look for more information on this story in this weekend's Laurens County Advertiser Extra.

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 4:15 p.m.
Laurens Academy's volleyball team knows its postseason path as it hopes to win a state championship.
LA, seeded third in the Lower State bracket, opens the state tournament Thursday at noon against Glenforest. If the Crusaders win the opener, they will advance to the second round against No. 2 Clarendon Hall, also on Thursday.
The tournament is double-elimination, with semifinal round play Saturday. The Class A championship is Monday night in Sumter. All games in the tournament are slated to be played at the Sumter Exhibition Center.

Monday, Oct. 19, 4:15 p.m.
Laurens head football coach Greg Lawson confirmed Monday that quarterback Allen Staton is out for the season after injuring both ankles during Friday's victory over Easley.
Staton was plowed into on an extra point following Laurens' first touchdown, and had both of his feet and ankles pinned underneath him. Staton suffered a high ankle sprain on his right ankle, and torn ligaments on his left ankle.
Tori Patterson, who filled in at quarterback Friday, will likely start this Friday's game at Westside.

Friday, Aug. 14, 10:50 a.m.
There are still a limited number of tickets availble for the Presbyterian College-Furman football game Sept. 5 in Greenville.
As of now, 400 tickets are still available at a cost of $20 each. To order tickets, call Sherry Medlin at 833-8240, or e-mail skmedlin@presby.edu.
You can also contact Sherry about PC's game Oct. 10 at Old Dominion, as there are tickets available for that game, too.

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 9 a.m.
The Presbyterian College men's basketball schedule was released today, and on it are a number of marquee matches, including a Dec. 12 date with the defending national champion North Carolina Tar Heels.
PC's contest is one of six non-conference games against teams who made the NCAA tournament a year ago. The Blue Hose will also face Clemson in its season opener (Nov. 13), and will later take on Illinois (Nov. 21), Ohio State (Dec. 16), Dayton (Dec. 19), and Marquette (Dec. 27) - all on the road. PC will also play at former two-time national champion Florida on Dec. 30.
PC's home opener will be Nov. 30 vs. Montreat.
For the rest of the schedule, read Wednesday's Laurens County Advertiser.

Tuesday, July 21, 12:21 a.m.
The District 6 Big League baseball team's dream of reaching the World Series came to an abrupt end Monday night in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as it lost to the Florida All-Stars from District 7, 3-2.
D6 led 2-0 after the first inning before Florida rallied for two runs in the third, then another run in the fourth. District 6 had a chance in the seventh to tie, with runners on first and second with one out, but could not get the final hit it needed.

Monday, July 20, 9:25 a.m.
The District 6 Big League baseball team opened the Southeast Regionals Sunday with a pair of victories, defeating a team from Tennessee, 12-2, and West Virginia, 11-5.
D6 is two victories away from getting to Easley for the Big League World Series. District 6 continues with semifinal play today.

Wednesday, June 25, 3 p.m.
District 6's baseball team will open the Big League playoffs Monday at 5 p.m. against District 7 at Riverside High School. Two games will be held Monday, with a third game, if necessary, to be played Tuesday at Riverside.

Monday, June 8, 2:50 p.m.
Laurens Academy rising junior Alex Satterfield gave his verbal commitment to play baseball in 2012 at the University of South Carolina Sunday night.
Satterfield, who hit .467, and went 7-0 with a 0.87 ERA as a pitcher, said it was his dream to play at USC, which has recently built a $36 million baseball stadium on campus.
USC qualified for the NCAA tournament this season, but was eliminated by East Carolina in three games during the NCAA Regionals.

Thursday, June 4, 6:55 p.m.
Thomas Todd and Walt Todd won't have a chance to test their games in the South Carolina Golf Association Four Ball Championships in Greenville.
The Todd team shot a second-round 72 at Furman University Golf Club to finish with a total of 144, which missed the cut for the match play tournament by one stroke.

Tuesday, May 19, 10 a.m.
Laurens District 55 announced this morning that Mark Freeze, currently in his second stint as the high school's boys' basketball coach, is the new athletic director. He replaces Bill Boroff, who resigned earlier this academic year. Freeze was head boys' basketball coach at Laurens from 1978-1991, then returned in 2007. The North Carolina native has been in the community for the last 31 years.
Head football coach Greg Lawson was also named as the new assistant athletic director, and he will help run the day-to-day operations of the department in the winter season, when Freeze is coaching the basketball team.
Look for a full write-up on the hiring in Wednesday's Laurens County Advertiser.

Tuesday, May 12, 8:25 p.m.
Laurens Academy's baseball team wrapped up its third straight SCISA Class A state championship Tuesday night against Patrick Henry, winning 14-2 in five innings. The Crusaders outscored the Patriots in the series, 31-4, and brought an end to a playoff run in which they gave up only six total runs.
Look for a wrap-up of the championship series in Wednesday's Laurens County Advertiser.

Friday, May 8, 5:20 p.m.
CORRECTION: The Laurens boys' soccer team is opening the Class AAAA playoffs Tuesday against Dorman, on the road. Information sent to the Laurens Advertiser that ran in the Extra this week said the game was on Monday.

Friday, May 8, 9:40 a.m.
What a downer.
The Laurens Raiders' baseball team was back in the district finals again Thursday, but again could not get the lone victory it needed to reach the Upper State tournament.
Laurens lost a marathon Game 1 to Gaffney, 8-7 in 10 innings, then didn't have enough left in the tank to win Game 2, falling 2-0. The defeats mark the third straight year that Laurens has reached the district final, needing one victory to advance - playing at home, no less - and came up empty.
As for the softball team, Laurens was eliminated in a tight struggle there, too, falling 6-5 in nine innings at Hillcrest. The Raiders would've played a winner-take-all Game 2 had it won the first game.
And Clinton was eliminated from the boy's Class AAA tennis tournament Thursday, falling 6-0 at Chapin. A year ago the Red Devils advanced all the way to the state final in Columbia.

Thursday, May 7, 8:43 a.m.
The Clinton Red Devils' softball team got its game in last night against Chapin in the Class AAA, District IV tournament, but came up on the short end of a 2-1 score, ending its playoff run.
Clinton had runners on second and third with one out in the seventh, with a chance to either tie or take the lead, but a strikeout and ground out wrapped up the game for Chapin.
Clinton ends its season 12-13.
Laurens Academy's baseball team, though, advanced to the SCISA Class A championship round again with a 17-0 rout of Bowman. LA will take on either Patrick Henry or Clarendon Hall in the championship series, starting Monday in Laurens. PH won the first game of its series with Clarendon Hall Wednesday, 18-4. Game 2 is tonight.


Wednesday, May 6, 3:20 p.m.
As expected, the impending severe weather has forced the postponement of both the Laurens baseball and softball playoff games that were scheduled for tonight.
Both the Laurens-Gaffney baseball and Laurens-Hillcrest softball games are now slated for Thursday, with each potential doubleheader starting at 5:30 p.m.
Clinton softball, as of this moment, is still on as scheduled for tonight against Chapin.

Wednesday, May 6, 10 a.m.
Laurens' baseball team will play Gaffney in the district championship today - weather permitting, that is. Gaffney advanced by eliminating Spring Valley Tuesday night, 11-7.
The first game will be played at 5:30 p.m., with a second game to follow immediately afterward if Gaffney wins Game 1. If Laurens wins once or Gaffney wins twice, that team will advance to the Upper State tournament, starting Saturday.
However, the forecast is calling for a 90 percent chance of thunderstorms today, and an 80 percent chance of storms tonight. If playoff games are called off tonight, they would likely be played Thursday, when the forecast is calling for morning showers before clearing in the afternoon.
Clinton's softball team again stayed alive in the Class AAA, District IV playoffs last night with an 8-4 victory over Union County. The Red Devils are scheduled to take on Chapin in the district championship tonight in Chapin. It is a rematch of a first-round game, which Chapin won 4-3 in 10 innings. Clinton must win the first game tonight in order to face a winner-take-all Game 2, with a spot in the Upper State tournament at stake.
And the Clinton boys' tennis team qualified for the Class AAA tournament, and knows it will open its playoff run Thursday night at Chapin. Clinton qualified as the runner-up in Region 3. The match is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Yesterday, the Laurens Academy baseball team opened its state semifinal series with a 12-0 victory over Bowman in five innings. The two teams were set to play Wednesday, weather permitting, in Game 2 at Bowman.
I will post updates on the playoff games tonight if they are postponed due to the weather.

Tuesday, May 5, 8:08 a.m.
The Laurens Raiders' softball team, two outs from elimination late Monday night against Blythewood, scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning, then held on in the bottom half to pick up a 9-6 victory in a Class AAAA, District IV playoff game. Kelsey Cox drove in the go-ahead run in the inning with a single, then made a great defensive play in the bottom half, diving into foul territory to catch a foul ball.
Laurens will take on Hillcrest at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the first of potentially two games in the district final. A sweep would send Laurens to the Upper State tournament, starting Saturday, while a loss would end its season.
Clinton, which was slated to face Union County Monday night, was washed out. The two teams are scheduled to play tonight at 6 p.m., at Union County.



Saturday, 11:10 p.m.
The Laurens Raiders' baseball team had another tough game Saturday, but advanced to the championship round of the District I-AAAA bracket.
Laurens defeated Spring Valley, 4-3, as Adam Taylor's 3-run homer in the second inning proved to be the difference. Laurens will play Wednesday against an opponent, and at a time, to be announced, at Laurens. The Raiders will play two games if they lose the first one Wednesday night.
Also, late Friday, the Laurens' softball team remained in the district tournament with a 5-4 victory over Fort Mill. The Raiders will face Blythewood Monday on the road, needing a victory to again stay in the hunt for a trip to the Upper State tournament.
Clinton also stayed alive with an 8-1 victory Saturday over A.C. Flora. Clinton will play Monday night against either Chapin or Union County.

Friday, May 1, 12:50 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, the Laurens County Park will host Softbrawl II, an event to help raise money for the Laurens boys' basketball program. It is a double-elimination tournament, with $100 as the top prize, along with a championship trophy. Second and third-place teams will also get trophies.
There is one home run per inning, then an out. The entry fee is $160.
For more information, contact Mark Freeze (923-0420 or 984-5869), Tommy Spires (923-6767, 683-3323, or 683-5409) any day between 1 and 3:30 p.m. The first 12 teams to commit will play in the event.

Friday, May 1, 12:38 p.m.
The Clinton Red Devils' game Saturday against AC Flora will start at 11 a.m. Saturday. It will be played at AC Flora.
Laurens' baseball team takes on Spring Valley Saturday at Laurens. Spring Valley advanced with a 1-0 victory over Gaffney.

Thursday, April 30, 11:30 p.m.
The Laurens Raiders' softball team lost its opener in the Class AAAA playoffs Thursday night, 12-1, and is now in an elimination game against Fort Mill. The game, which was originally slated for Saturday, was moved to Friday at 6:30 p.m. It will be played at Laurens.
Also, the Laurens Raiders' baseball team defeated Byrnes, 3-1, in its first-round Class AAAA playoff game at home Thursday. The Raiders will play in the second round Saturday at 2 p.m., against either Gaffney or Spring Valley. Sports Now will be updated when that information becomes available.
Clinton, in its Class AAA softball tournament opener, lost a 10-inning affair against Chapin, 4-3, when Whitley Martin of Chapin tripled home the winning run. Clinton will face AC Flora in an elimination game on Saturday.


Thursday, April 30, 7:45 a.m.
The Laurens Raiders' baseball team, after winning its third straight region title, picked up some accolades yesterday.
Travis Burnside earned the highest individual honor, winning the RegionPlayer of the Year award. Dre Watts and Adam Taylor were named to theall-region team for pitching and outfield, respecively, while DaleNelson was picked as the Region Coach of the Year.
Along with the individual awards, Burnside and Watts were picked totake part in the South Carolina-North Carolina Select Game. The eventwill be held June 10-13 in Myrtle Beach.
Look for a full writeup on the awards in next week's Laurens County Advertiser.


Wednesday, April 29, 2:24 p.m.
The pairings for the Class AAA softball tournament have officially been released. Click the link below to see the pairings.
Class AAA softball
LaurensAcademy's baseball team advanced to the SCISA Class A semifinals with a17-0 victory over Jefferson Davis Academy, sweeping the first-roundseries. Alex Satterfield tossed a five-inning no-hitter, striking out11.
LA will open the state semifinal series Tuesday against either Bowman or Glenn, with Game 1 set for 6 p.m. in Laurens.
UPDATE (9:31 p.m.): Laurens Academy will take on Bowman in the second round.


Tuesday, April 28, 9:13 p.m.
Pairings are officially out from the SCHSL for Class AAAA baseball and softball. Links are below:
Class AAAA baseball
Class AAAA softball
Laurens' softball team will take on either Blythewood or Fort Mill on Saturday. The Raiders open with Hillcrest Thursday.


Tuesday, April 28, 9 a.m.
Whilethe Clinton Red Devils' softball team has not had its bracket finalizedfor the tournament as of yet, it does know who it will be opening with.
Clintonwill start District IV tournament play Thursday night at Chapin, thechampion of Region 4. The opposite two teams in the bracket will be thesecond-place team in Region 3, which was likely to be Union County, andthe third-place team in Region 4, that likely being Chester.
Please check back with Sports Now as this will be updated with the full bracket when it is announced.
UPDATE(10:55 a.m.) Clinton head coach Sean McCarthy has said that UnionCounty will likely face A.C. Flora in its first-round game, but couldstill play Chester if games tonight go a certain way. He did confirm,though, that Clinton will open with Chapin.


Monday, April 27, 1:30 p.m.
The Laurens Raiders' baseball teamnow knows its path through the District I bracket during the start ofthe South Carolina High School League state tournament, which beginsThursday night.
The Raiders will open with Byrnes Thursday night atLaurens, with the game starting at 7 p.m. If Laurens wins this game itwill host either Spring Valley or Gaffney Saturday at 2 p.m., for aspot in the championship round. If Laurens loses Thursday night, itwill face Spring Valley or Gaffney in an elimination game, also slatedfor Saturday at 2 p.m., also in Laurens.
In softball, the LaurensRaiders know they will open the District IV tournament Thursday atHIllcrest. As of now, the rest of the bracket has not been determined.
Please check back with Sports Now as pairings will be posted as soon as they are announced.


Friday, April 24, 4:02 p.m.
Laurens Academy's baseball team knowsthe first steps it will have to take in order to win a thirdconsecutive SCISA Class A title.
The Crusaders, seeded first in theUpper State bracket, will face No. 4 Jefferson Davis in the openingbest-of-three series, which begins Monday at 6 p.m. at Laurens Academy.Game 2 will be played Tuesday night at Jefferson Davis, with a thirdgame, if necessary, to be played on a date to be announced.
IfLaurens Academy advances past the first round, it will take on eitherBowman or Glenforest in the state semifinal series, also best-of-three,starting May 5. The championship series, best-of-three, is slated tobegin May 11 at the Upper State champion.


Thursday, April 23, 2:35 p.m.
According to Laurens District 55 High School's Web page, the Laurens baseball team will open the Class AAAA state tournament April 30, at home, against Byrnes. The game is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
The full state tournament pairings will be announced in the coming days. Check back here for full brackets when they are announced.